US20080009072A1 - Ultrasonic mixing of a biological sample - Google Patents
Ultrasonic mixing of a biological sample Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080009072A1 US20080009072A1 US11/456,180 US45618006A US2008009072A1 US 20080009072 A1 US20080009072 A1 US 20080009072A1 US 45618006 A US45618006 A US 45618006A US 2008009072 A1 US2008009072 A1 US 2008009072A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- sample
- specimen
- membrane
- solution
- preparing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
- G01N1/2813—Producing thin layers of samples on a substrate, e.g. smearing, spinning-on
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
- G01N1/40—Concentrating samples
- G01N1/4077—Concentrating samples by other techniques involving separation of suspended solids
- G01N2001/4094—Concentrating samples by other techniques involving separation of suspended solids using ultrasound
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/25—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing including sample preparation
Definitions
- the present invention relates to preparation of cytological specimens and, more specifically, to an automated method and apparatus that sonicates the samples prior to preparing a plurality of cytological specimens.
- Cytology is a branch of biology dealing with the study of the formation, structure, and function of cells. As applied in a laboratory setting, cytologists, cytotechnologists, and other medical professionals make medical diagnoses of a patient's condition based on visual examination of a specimen of the patient's cells.
- a typical cytological technique is a “pap smear” test, in which cells are scraped from a woman's cervix and analyzed in order to detect the presence of abnormal cells, a precursor to the onset of cervical cancer. Cytological techniques are also used to detect abnormal cells and disease in other parts of the human body.
- Cytological techniques are widely employed because collection of cell samples for analysis is generally less invasive than traditional surgical pathological procedures such as biopsies, whereby a tissue specimen is excised from the patient using specialized biopsy needles having spring loaded translatable stylets, fixed cannulae, and the like.
- Cell samples may be obtained from the patient by a variety of techniques including, for example, by scraping or swabbing an area, or by using a needle to aspirate body fluids from the chest cavity, bladder, spinal canal, or other appropriate area.
- the cell samples are placed in solution and subsequently collected and transferred to a glass slide for viewing under magnification. Fixative and staining solutions may be applied to the cells on the glass slide for preserving the specimen for archival purposes and for facilitating examination.
- the cells on the slide have a proper spatial distribution, so that individual cells can be examined.
- a single layer of cells is typically preferred. Accordingly, preparing a specimen from a fluid sample containing many cells typically requires that the cells first be separated from each other by mechanical dispersion, fluidic shear, or other techniques so that a thin, monolayer of cells can be collected and deposited on the slide. In this manner, the cytotechnologist can more readily discern abnormal cells. The cells are also able to be counted to ensure that an adequate number of cells have been evaluated.
- a patient's cells in a preservative fluid in a sample container are dispersed using a spinning sample collector disposed therein.
- a controlled vacuum is applied to the sample collector to draw the fluid through a screen filter thereof until a desired quantity and spatial distribution of cells is collected against the filter.
- the sample collector is removed from the sample container and the filter portion impressed against a glass slide to transfer the collected cells to the slide in substantially the same spatial distribution as collected.
- Another method disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003-0207456 A1, by Ostgaard et al., the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including any drawings, is directed to a more automated preparation of glass slides.
- Sonication is a very effective method for the mixing and homogenizing of liquids by means of ultrasonic cavitation.
- Some of the instruments currently used in the market include the VialTweeter (Hielscher Ultrasonics GmbH, Germany)
- the sample is mechanically agitated to break up mucous, blood, or cell clusters, for example by spinning the filter in the vial in ThinPrep® TP2000 (Cytyc Corp.) or spinning the vial itself ThinPrep® TP3000 (Cytyc Corp.).
- the mechanical agitation leads to splashes and spreading of the fluid and cellular matter on the inside of the instrument. This leads to excess cleaning required by the user and potential contamination of the interior of the device with cellular matter.
- the mechanical mixing stops the cell contents begin to settle within the vial and reform aggregates, which may potentially lead to a less accurate representation of the vial contents on the slide.
- Disclosed herein is a method of preparing a slide for viewing biological material, comprising obtaining a vial containing the biological material in a solution; sonicating the solution to obtain a mixed solution; selectively removing cells from the mixed solution by aspirating a portion of the solution through a membrane such that the cells adhere to the membrane; and transferring the cells adhered to the membrane to a microscope slide.
- an apparatus for preparing a slide for viewing biological material comprising a specimen preparing apparatus; a first loading station for receiving a plurality of samples; a sample transfer assembly for removing a first sample from the first loading station and transferring the first sample to the specimen preparing apparatus for preparing a first specimen from the first sample and thereafter returning the the sample to the first loading station; a sonicator for sonicating the first sample in the specimen preparing apparatus; a specimen transfer assembly for transferring the first specimen to an unloading area; and a processor for automatically controlling the the specimen preparing apparatus, the sample transfer assembly, the sonicator, and the specimen transfer assembly, such that remaining ones of the plurality of samples are processed to prepare subsequent specimens until all of the plurality of samples have been processed.
- aspects of the current invention provide for the use of ultrasound energy to mix the contents of a vial within an instrument.
- ultrasound energy, or sonication is more superior mixing technique than mechanical mixing because ultrasound can be used on a closed vial, which virtually eliminates splashes and spilling of the contents of the vial within the instrument. Furthermore, when the vial cap is removed, sonication creates much smaller ripples within the vial and therefore minimizes unwanted spills.
- ThinPrep® TP2000 and TP3000 instruments an added ultrasound device can continue mixing the contents of the vial while cells are being removed from the sample, thereby assure a homogenous sample from which cells are obtained. This leads to a more accurate representation of the contents of the sample on the slide.
- a method of preparing a slide for viewing biological material comprising obtaining a vial containing the biological material in a solution; sonicating the solution to obtain a mixed solution; selectively removing cells from the mixed solution by aspirating a portion of the solution through a membrane such that the cells adhere to the membrane; and transferring the cells adhered to the membrane to a microscope slide.
- the biological material is obtained from the cervix.
- the biological material comprises cervical cells, blood, and mucous.
- the biological sample is blood sample.
- the biological sample is urine.
- the biological sample is in PreservCyt® (Cytyc Corp.). In other embodiments, the biological sample is in water. In yet other embodiments, the biological sample is in a buffer solution, such as HEPES (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N′-(2-ethanesulfonic acid)), MES (2-(N-morpholino)ethane-sulfonic acid), MOPS (3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid), TRIS, TBS (Tris buffered saline), BIS-TRIS Propane (1,3-Bis[tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino]propane), PBS (phosphate buffered saline), and the like.
- HEPES N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N′-(2-ethanesulfonic acid)
- MES 2-(N-morpholino)ethane-sulfonic acid
- MOPS 3-(N-morpholino)prop
- the sonication is performed by using ultrasound energy.
- the sonicating step produces a homogenized solution. In certain embodiments, the sonicating step breaks up mucous, blood, or cell clusters.
- the instruments obtains a membrane and aspirates some of the solution containing the biological sample through the membrane. Some of the cells in the sample solution adhere to the membrane. The instrument, then presses the membrane against a glass slide, thereby transferring the cells to the glass slide.
- the above method further comprises sonicating the solution prior to aspirating the portion of the solution through the membrane.
- the solution is sonicated for long enough time to ensure that all of the cell clusters have been broken up and that the solution is sufficiently homogenized.
- the above method further comprises sonicating the solution while aspirating the portion of the solution through the membrane.
- continued sonication while aspirating ensures that very few, if any, new cell clusters are re-formed prior to obtaining the cells on the membrane.
- an apparatus for preparing a slide for viewing biological material comprising a specimen preparing apparatus; a first loading station for receiving a plurality of samples; a sample transfer assembly for removing a first sample from the first loading station and transferring the first sample to the specimen preparing apparatus for preparing a first specimen from the first sample and thereafter returning the the sample to the first loading station; a sonicator for sonicating the first sample in the specimen preparing apparatus; a specimen transfer assembly for transferring the first specimen to an unloading area; and a processor for automatically controlling the the specimen preparing apparatus, the sample transfer assembly, the sonicator, and the specimen transfer assembly, such that remaining ones of the plurality of samples are processed to prepare subsequent specimens until all of the plurality of samples have been processed.
- each sample comprises particles in a liquid suspension.
- the particles comprise cells
- the above apparatus further comprises a coating station for coating each prepared specimen with a fixative solution.
- Some embodiments of the above apparatus further comprise a second loading station for receiving a plurality of membranes; and a membrane transfer assembly under control of the processor for removing a first membrane from the first loading station and transferring the first membrane to the specimen preparing apparatus for preparing a first specimen from the first sample and thereafter discarding the first membrane, where the processor automatically controls the membrane transfer assembly, such that a next one of the plurality of membranes is transferred to the specimen preparing apparatus to prepare a next specimen from a next sample until all of the plurality of samples have been processed.
- the sonicator sonicates the first sample in the first loading station. In other embodiments, the sonicator sonicates the first sample in the specimen preparing apparatus. In yet other embodiments, the sonicator sonicates the first sample prior to the first membrane being transferred to the specimen preparing apparatus. In yet other embodiments, the sonicator sonicates the first sample while the first membrane is being transferred to the specimen preparing apparatus. In certain embodiments, the sonicator sonicates the first sample in the first loading station and continues to sonicate the sample until the membrane has obtained a sufficient number of cells.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to preparation of cytological specimens and, more specifically, to an automated method and apparatus that sonicates the samples prior to preparing a plurality of cytological specimens.
- Cytology is a branch of biology dealing with the study of the formation, structure, and function of cells. As applied in a laboratory setting, cytologists, cytotechnologists, and other medical professionals make medical diagnoses of a patient's condition based on visual examination of a specimen of the patient's cells. A typical cytological technique is a “pap smear” test, in which cells are scraped from a woman's cervix and analyzed in order to detect the presence of abnormal cells, a precursor to the onset of cervical cancer. Cytological techniques are also used to detect abnormal cells and disease in other parts of the human body.
- Cytological techniques are widely employed because collection of cell samples for analysis is generally less invasive than traditional surgical pathological procedures such as biopsies, whereby a tissue specimen is excised from the patient using specialized biopsy needles having spring loaded translatable stylets, fixed cannulae, and the like. Cell samples may be obtained from the patient by a variety of techniques including, for example, by scraping or swabbing an area, or by using a needle to aspirate body fluids from the chest cavity, bladder, spinal canal, or other appropriate area. The cell samples are placed in solution and subsequently collected and transferred to a glass slide for viewing under magnification. Fixative and staining solutions may be applied to the cells on the glass slide for preserving the specimen for archival purposes and for facilitating examination.
- It is generally desirable that the cells on the slide have a proper spatial distribution, so that individual cells can be examined. A single layer of cells is typically preferred. Accordingly, preparing a specimen from a fluid sample containing many cells typically requires that the cells first be separated from each other by mechanical dispersion, fluidic shear, or other techniques so that a thin, monolayer of cells can be collected and deposited on the slide. In this manner, the cytotechnologist can more readily discern abnormal cells. The cells are also able to be counted to ensure that an adequate number of cells have been evaluated.
- Certain methods and apparatus for generating a thin monolayer of cells on a slide advantageous for visual examination are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,627 issued to Lapidus et al. and entitled “Method and Apparatus for Preparing Cells for Examination;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,606 issued to Lapidus et al. and entitled “Apparatus for Preparing Cells for Examination;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,918 issued to Lapidus et al. and entitled “Clinical Cartridge Apparatus;” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,978 issued to Polk, Jr. et al. and entitled “Specimen Processor Method and Apparatus,” all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention and all of the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- According to one method disclosed in these patents, a patient's cells in a preservative fluid in a sample container are dispersed using a spinning sample collector disposed therein. A controlled vacuum is applied to the sample collector to draw the fluid through a screen filter thereof until a desired quantity and spatial distribution of cells is collected against the filter. Thereafter, the sample collector is removed from the sample container and the filter portion impressed against a glass slide to transfer the collected cells to the slide in substantially the same spatial distribution as collected. Another method, disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003-0207456 A1, by Ostgaard et al., the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including any drawings, is directed to a more automated preparation of glass slides.
- Sonication is a very effective method for the mixing and homogenizing of liquids by means of ultrasonic cavitation. Some of the instruments currently used in the market include the VialTweeter (Hielscher Ultrasonics GmbH, Germany)
- In some of the current automated pap smear sample preparation techniques the sample is mechanically agitated to break up mucous, blood, or cell clusters, for example by spinning the filter in the vial in ThinPrep® TP2000 (Cytyc Corp.) or spinning the vial itself ThinPrep® TP3000 (Cytyc Corp.). The mechanical agitation leads to splashes and spreading of the fluid and cellular matter on the inside of the instrument. This leads to excess cleaning required by the user and potential contamination of the interior of the device with cellular matter. Furthermore, once the mechanical mixing stops, the cell contents begin to settle within the vial and reform aggregates, which may potentially lead to a less accurate representation of the vial contents on the slide.
- Therefore, there is a need in the art for an alternative method of mixing that can mix the sample without removing the lid on the vial, and that can continue to mix the contents of the vial while the cell fractions are being obtained.
- Disclosed herein is a method of preparing a slide for viewing biological material, comprising obtaining a vial containing the biological material in a solution; sonicating the solution to obtain a mixed solution; selectively removing cells from the mixed solution by aspirating a portion of the solution through a membrane such that the cells adhere to the membrane; and transferring the cells adhered to the membrane to a microscope slide.
- Also disclosed herein is an apparatus for preparing a slide for viewing biological material, comprising a specimen preparing apparatus; a first loading station for receiving a plurality of samples; a sample transfer assembly for removing a first sample from the first loading station and transferring the first sample to the specimen preparing apparatus for preparing a first specimen from the first sample and thereafter returning the the sample to the first loading station; a sonicator for sonicating the first sample in the specimen preparing apparatus; a specimen transfer assembly for transferring the first specimen to an unloading area; and a processor for automatically controlling the the specimen preparing apparatus, the sample transfer assembly, the sonicator, and the specimen transfer assembly, such that remaining ones of the plurality of samples are processed to prepare subsequent specimens until all of the plurality of samples have been processed.
- Embodiments of the present invention are described below. It is, however, expressly noted that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather the intention is that modifications that are apparent to the person skilled in the art and equivalents thereof are also included.
- Aspects of the current invention provide for the use of ultrasound energy to mix the contents of a vial within an instrument. The use of ultrasound energy, or sonication, is more superior mixing technique than mechanical mixing because ultrasound can be used on a closed vial, which virtually eliminates splashes and spilling of the contents of the vial within the instrument. Furthermore, when the vial cap is removed, sonication creates much smaller ripples within the vial and therefore minimizes unwanted spills. When used with ThinPrep® TP2000 and TP3000 instruments, an added ultrasound device can continue mixing the contents of the vial while cells are being removed from the sample, thereby assure a homogenous sample from which cells are obtained. This leads to a more accurate representation of the contents of the sample on the slide.
- Thus, in a first aspect, disclosed herein is a method of preparing a slide for viewing biological material, comprising obtaining a vial containing the biological material in a solution; sonicating the solution to obtain a mixed solution; selectively removing cells from the mixed solution by aspirating a portion of the solution through a membrane such that the cells adhere to the membrane; and transferring the cells adhered to the membrane to a microscope slide.
- In some embodiments, the biological material is obtained from the cervix. In certain embodiments, the biological material comprises cervical cells, blood, and mucous. In other embodiments, the biological sample is blood sample. In yet other embodiments, the biological sample is urine.
- In some embodiments, the biological sample is in PreservCyt® (Cytyc Corp.). In other embodiments, the biological sample is in water. In yet other embodiments, the biological sample is in a buffer solution, such as HEPES (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N′-(2-ethanesulfonic acid)), MES (2-(N-morpholino)ethane-sulfonic acid), MOPS (3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid), TRIS, TBS (Tris buffered saline), BIS-TRIS Propane (1,3-Bis[tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino]propane), PBS (phosphate buffered saline), and the like.
- In some embodiments, the sonication is performed by using ultrasound energy.
- In some embodiments, the sonicating step produces a homogenized solution. In certain embodiments, the sonicating step breaks up mucous, blood, or cell clusters.
- With some automated slide preparation devices, such as ThinPrep® TP2000 and TP3000 instruments, the instruments obtains a membrane and aspirates some of the solution containing the biological sample through the membrane. Some of the cells in the sample solution adhere to the membrane. The instrument, then presses the membrane against a glass slide, thereby transferring the cells to the glass slide.
- In some embodiments, the above method further comprises sonicating the solution prior to aspirating the portion of the solution through the membrane. In these embodiments, the solution is sonicated for long enough time to ensure that all of the cell clusters have been broken up and that the solution is sufficiently homogenized.
- In other embodiments, the above method further comprises sonicating the solution while aspirating the portion of the solution through the membrane. In these embodiments, continued sonication while aspirating ensures that very few, if any, new cell clusters are re-formed prior to obtaining the cells on the membrane.
- In another aspect, disclosed herein is an apparatus for preparing a slide for viewing biological material, comprising a specimen preparing apparatus; a first loading station for receiving a plurality of samples; a sample transfer assembly for removing a first sample from the first loading station and transferring the first sample to the specimen preparing apparatus for preparing a first specimen from the first sample and thereafter returning the the sample to the first loading station; a sonicator for sonicating the first sample in the specimen preparing apparatus; a specimen transfer assembly for transferring the first specimen to an unloading area; and a processor for automatically controlling the the specimen preparing apparatus, the sample transfer assembly, the sonicator, and the specimen transfer assembly, such that remaining ones of the plurality of samples are processed to prepare subsequent specimens until all of the plurality of samples have been processed.
- In some embodiments, each sample comprises particles in a liquid suspension. In further embodiments, the particles comprise cells
- In some embodiments, the above apparatus further comprises a coating station for coating each prepared specimen with a fixative solution.
- Some embodiments of the above apparatus further comprise a second loading station for receiving a plurality of membranes; and a membrane transfer assembly under control of the processor for removing a first membrane from the first loading station and transferring the first membrane to the specimen preparing apparatus for preparing a first specimen from the first sample and thereafter discarding the first membrane, where the processor automatically controls the membrane transfer assembly, such that a next one of the plurality of membranes is transferred to the specimen preparing apparatus to prepare a next specimen from a next sample until all of the plurality of samples have been processed.
- In some embodiments, the sonicator sonicates the first sample in the first loading station. In other embodiments, the sonicator sonicates the first sample in the specimen preparing apparatus. In yet other embodiments, the sonicator sonicates the first sample prior to the first membrane being transferred to the specimen preparing apparatus. In yet other embodiments, the sonicator sonicates the first sample while the first membrane is being transferred to the specimen preparing apparatus. In certain embodiments, the sonicator sonicates the first sample in the first loading station and continues to sonicate the sample until the membrane has obtained a sufficient number of cells.
- The invention may be embodied in other specific forms besides and beyond those described herein. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description.
Claims (15)
Priority Applications (1)
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US11/456,180 US20080009072A1 (en) | 2006-07-07 | 2006-07-07 | Ultrasonic mixing of a biological sample |
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US11/456,180 US20080009072A1 (en) | 2006-07-07 | 2006-07-07 | Ultrasonic mixing of a biological sample |
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US20080009072A1 true US20080009072A1 (en) | 2008-01-10 |
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US11/456,180 Abandoned US20080009072A1 (en) | 2006-07-07 | 2006-07-07 | Ultrasonic mixing of a biological sample |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2348322B1 (en) * | 2010-01-21 | 2019-08-14 | Sysmex Corporation | Sample preparation apparatus |
Citations (11)
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US4920213A (en) * | 1985-06-20 | 1990-04-24 | Biotechnology Research Partners, Ltd. | Method and compositions useful in preventing equine influenza |
US5143627A (en) * | 1990-07-09 | 1992-09-01 | Cytyc Corporation | Method and apparatus for preparing cells for examination |
US5240606A (en) * | 1990-07-09 | 1993-08-31 | Cytyc Corporation | Apparatus for preparing cells for examination |
US5269918A (en) * | 1990-07-09 | 1993-12-14 | Cytyc Corporation | Clinical cartridge apparatus |
US5282978A (en) * | 1990-07-09 | 1994-02-01 | Cytyc Corporation | Specimen processor method and apparatus |
US5432210A (en) * | 1993-11-22 | 1995-07-11 | Rohm And Haas Company | Polymer particles and method for preparing by polymerization of encapsulated monomers |
US5908635A (en) * | 1994-08-05 | 1999-06-01 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Department Of Health And Human Services | Method for the liposomal delivery of nucleic acids |
US20020106718A1 (en) * | 2000-12-04 | 2002-08-08 | Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. | Cell transfer device |
US20020164653A1 (en) * | 2001-03-16 | 2002-11-07 | Irm, Llc | Method and apparatus for performing multiple processing steps on a sample in a single vessel |
US6572824B1 (en) * | 1998-09-18 | 2003-06-03 | Cytyc Corporation | Method and apparatus for preparing cytological specimens |
US20030207456A1 (en) * | 1998-09-18 | 2003-11-06 | Cytyc Corporation | Method and apparatus for preparing cytological specimens |
-
2006
- 2006-07-07 US US11/456,180 patent/US20080009072A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US4920213A (en) * | 1985-06-20 | 1990-04-24 | Biotechnology Research Partners, Ltd. | Method and compositions useful in preventing equine influenza |
US5143627A (en) * | 1990-07-09 | 1992-09-01 | Cytyc Corporation | Method and apparatus for preparing cells for examination |
US5240606A (en) * | 1990-07-09 | 1993-08-31 | Cytyc Corporation | Apparatus for preparing cells for examination |
US5269918A (en) * | 1990-07-09 | 1993-12-14 | Cytyc Corporation | Clinical cartridge apparatus |
US5282978A (en) * | 1990-07-09 | 1994-02-01 | Cytyc Corporation | Specimen processor method and apparatus |
US5432210A (en) * | 1993-11-22 | 1995-07-11 | Rohm And Haas Company | Polymer particles and method for preparing by polymerization of encapsulated monomers |
US5908635A (en) * | 1994-08-05 | 1999-06-01 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Department Of Health And Human Services | Method for the liposomal delivery of nucleic acids |
US6572824B1 (en) * | 1998-09-18 | 2003-06-03 | Cytyc Corporation | Method and apparatus for preparing cytological specimens |
US20030207456A1 (en) * | 1998-09-18 | 2003-11-06 | Cytyc Corporation | Method and apparatus for preparing cytological specimens |
US20020106718A1 (en) * | 2000-12-04 | 2002-08-08 | Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. | Cell transfer device |
US20020164653A1 (en) * | 2001-03-16 | 2002-11-07 | Irm, Llc | Method and apparatus for performing multiple processing steps on a sample in a single vessel |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2348322B1 (en) * | 2010-01-21 | 2019-08-14 | Sysmex Corporation | Sample preparation apparatus |
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